Have just finished Don Noel's book on Treasure Beach, Near A Far Sea (ad in the Eat And Play section of this website) and have thoroughly enjoyed reading all about the recent history of the area. There were mentions of so many people I know - Miss Sheila, Lancel Graham, Valney Ritchie ... The words just whizzed me straight back to TB, even though I'm thousands of miles away.

Good job, Don! When's the sequel?!!

I read the first chapter (the one that's free one their site) and loved it. My copy own copy is in the mail and I can't wait to read it.

-Eric

If you go to www.nearafarsea.com, you too can read that first chapter -- and if you like it,order the book online or call your local bookseller to get it for you.
Thanks!

Thank you for posting the first chapter! Read it this morning and immediately ordered the book.

thank you Don, i am looking forward to my copy, it is on the way, love the way you describe my dad

Well, I just read the first chapter to "Mister Arthur's" grandaughter Clara, and she is very proud to know how important her Grandpa Keith is, and we have just placed our order... what a lovely way for her to know more about her Jamaican heritage and her family's hard work towards progress for the fishermen and community in Billy's Bay over the years. Looking forward to the rest of the book Mr. Noel.

I just ordered my copy since reading the 2 chapters that are on line. Its a great introduction to the early days of TB and its people. Best of luck Don with all future sales...

-Mike Henrickson

I'm pleased to say folks can now order my book direct from Amazon; there's a link at www.NearAFarSea.com

-Don

Is the book available for sale anywhere in Treasure Beach? We don't have enough time to order it before our trip down there and it would be great to read it while in Jamaica.

Sorry, Near a Far Sea is not available yet in Treasure Beach. I'm trying to interest two possible vendors. I may bring a dozen or so copies down when we come in April; but meantime, a local bookseller is best -- or maybe a bit faster using the AuthorHouse or Amazon links. Thanks!

I finished it last night. Interesting stories about the community, the house building reminded me of Palladini's book (A Year More or Less in JA), which I loved, so that's a good thing

Very enjoyable read.

Thanks to all who have expressed interest in my book "Near a Far Sea." It's now available from Amazon, Target or local bookstores. I'm trying to get Jamaican bookstores to carry it; any help appreciated. If you're new to this thread, go to www.nearafarsea.com to read the first chapter

Just read the first chapter & the beginning of the next, and I bought the book. Looking at Don's picture I realized I had seen him before...on TV in Hartford, where I once lived!

I remember the Jaimacan community there, the first place I ever ate "currygoat" (always said as one word) and heard "no troubles mon". I wonder how the Jamaican girl I was a mentor for is doing.....

I found it easiest to order the book online at amazon.ca. I have ordered two copies. One for Arthur's grandaughter Clara here in Canada, as well as for his son Trevor who asked me to order him a copy. When you order two or more, it is free shipping. If you know several people who want copies of the book, you can order and ship to seperate addresses as well and still benefit from the free shipping.

Hi Coralie,

Do you know how I can get in touch with Trevor?.
Does he live in Toronto?.

Hi Elizabeth
When did you live in Hartford? I'm still here.When were you in Treasure Beach? Tell me DonONoel@yahoo.com who the girl was you mentored, and I'll try to find out.

I was a mentor 20 years ago, so I have forgotten the name of the girl. I have visited Treasure Beach for the last three Calabash festivals, and once for a week at Christmas. I had to see for myself how everyone was doing after Ivan.

Treasure Beach was nice the first time I visited, but it stole my heart the second time, when people remembered me a year later, even though I am a typical "white-lady-tourist".

Read the book over the weekend. Made for a great escape and really adds flavor to my pre-trip planning. Thanks for writing it!

Don, I just finished the book. What a fantastic read. I could not put it down! It was awesome to read about so many people I know in Treasure Beach, and their parents and to see how everyone is related, as well as your journey from tourist to land owner to hotelier.

For anyone who knows Treasure Beach, anyone thinking of visiting, or those just in need of a light read about a different culture, I highly recommend the book.

And I'm humbled at my own inclusion in regards to the creation of this site and the installation of the Sandy Bank computer lab. I have very fond memories of working with Mrs. Moxam, Miss Ditty, Miss Zane, and Miss Jennifer in 1999 instructing them in the use of the lab's newly donated computers.

Sadly I share your observation on page 195 that "...Jamaica has a long way to go before it has a population prepared for the 21st century of global commerce."

But I'm also hopeful that the continued efforts of groups like Breds and the TB Women's Group, socially conscious visitors and property owners such as Brad and yourself, hard working educators and community leaders, and (a bit of self congratulations here) community-minded sites like this one will keep providing opportunities for growth and development for the coming generations.

-Eric

Hi Rebecca this is the person that write about Dons book and how much he is a monster why you dident put my e mail on the website are you trying to hide the trute about him,well i will send a copy of his book to the Jamaican news paper i am sure they will be happys to write about it in there papeer also the t.v station, you can keep it off your website but you wont keep it from coming out i now most of the people that buy his book are American.

"smart black woman":

We did not approve your message because it contained personal attacks. If you would care to repost a message which conforms to our guidelines of being respectful to others, then we'll by all means approve it.

See this post for more information:
http://webtonic.info/discus/messages/1584/5180.html?1140792281

-TBNet

I'm relieved to hear somebody else was disgusted at this book. I'm sure Don Noel has/had the best intentions in the world but the book can only be described as colonial, patronizing towards Jamaicans, insulting especially to the women of the Billy's Bay area and in general, the biggest piece of self-promotion and puffery I've read. Saying things like 'Jamaican women are suited for the roles of housekeepers and maids' is sexist. Saying that keeping children away from his compound is a priority for the enjoyment of his guests is just wrong. The children of Billy's Bay are one of the reasons visitors find it such a meaningful experience to visit. I could give other examples of the attitude of superiority that permeates this book but I won't. Don't buy it. And don't bother reading it./ I did and I'm sorry I did.

Don Noel came to Jamaica many, many years ago he was treated royally by the people of Billys Bay, My uncle whom is now dead worked for him for little or nothing.I have not read the book,I hope the above is not true.

Hi concerned, the above is true i read the book and it was very insulting to evereyone especially black women, this is what he said in his book that miss Olive was very smart for a black woman. that means he think all black women are stupied,I have news for Don Noel, surprise, i am a Jamaican black woman who knows when we are insulted,and i think Don Noel should apologice to the people of Treasure Beach.and to all black women.

I would suggest anyone who read this book to provide a feed back on this site, I won't buy the book. Don how dare you to publish a book like this? our black women are smart, maybe if you said the women in Billys Bay were poor when you arrived.

Eric, I took the following from the post by 'Concerned Jamaican':

"...this is what he said in his book that miss Olive was very smart for a black woman".

I have not had the benefit of reading the book, myself. You said you did. Did the author really say what is alleged?

Miss Olive, by the way, is my first cousin.

Earl, I certainly did not get the same feeling from the book that 'concerned' did. I would not have given a recommendation if I did.

As I read it, they praised Miss Olive for being a warm, welcoming and overall great housekeeper.

I'd like to know what specific passages from the book they are referring to.

-Eric

I have always enjoyed my visits to this website. It has certainly provided a forum for all – Jamaicans and non-Jamaicans alike - an opportunity to share views and experiences in an atmosphere of mutual respect.

That, for me, is truly reflective of the reality of life in Treasure Beach. It is, indeed, the essence of the concept of “Community Tourism”, a term made popular by another son of Treasure Beach, Desmond Henry, himself a former Director of Tourism.

It would therefore be a great tragedy, if this tradition of genuine mutual respect were to be undermined by this “book incident”.

It might be of considerable benefit to all concerned, if the author, himself, or someone else who has the book, were to reproduce the direct reference to “Miss Olive”. That should settle the matter, one way or the other.

For the record, I have always respected Don Noel, largely from a distance. I recall, as a young boy in the ‘70’s/ early ‘80’s, his efforts to assist local fishermen by introducing to them, modern equipment and gadgets to enhance their safety and security at sea. I also visited his home in Billy’s Bay on several occasions while my cousins (not just ‘Miss Olive’) worked for him. I also interviewed him for a radio feature on one occasion.

The point is, I have had no reason, up to this moment, to be anything but respectful of him. Long may that remain the case.

On page 106 the second paragraph says:

"She was slight, darker than many in Treasure Beach; a pretty woman in her early 30s with two pre-teen daughters. ("She's a ver' smart lady for a black woman" the light-light skinned Brother Elbert told me; he knew her from church. Coming from our saintly neighbor, the remark took me aback. But color bias, we knew from our travels, is a world-wide phenomenon.)"

The book is reporting a comment made by someone else. The comment was not made by the author.

Hi Earl.this is exactly what Don wrote on page 106," she was slightly darker than many in Treasure Beach;a pretty woman in her early 30's with two pre-teen daughters. she's a very smart lady for a black woman.Eric it seems you did not read this book from cover to cover.

After 40 years in journalism, I'm not troubled that some people don't like what I write; I try to accept criticism thoughtfully, if critics are thoughtful.
But I object when my words are distorted. "Concerned Jamaican" says she has read the book, but perhaps not very carefully.
The quotation is not my viewpoint; in fact, what's in the book makes clear that I was shocked to hear that from a man whom I (and Miss Olive) loved dearly.
Here's the direct quotation, on page 106
(“She’s a ver’ smart lady for a black woman,” the light-skinned Brother Elbert told me; he knew her from church.. Coming from our saintly neighbor, the remark took me aback. But color bias, we knew from our travels, is a world-wide phenomenon.)
The context makes it clear: Not my views at all, but rather an observation that many light-skinned Jamaicans look down on darker-skinned Jamaicans, as I have observed to be also true of Indians, Chinese, Iranians, Arabs, Cambodians and others in my experience.
My wife Brad and I have lived our lives -- in the U.S. and in Jamaica and in journalistic travels elsewhere -- utterly opposed to racial prejudice. To imply otherwise is an unwarranted personal attack, and distorts what I wrote.
I'm sorry there are only a half-dozen or so copies of the book in Treasure Beach now; I'll bring a few more in April, and would be glad to lend a copy to the critics. But there are a few copies available now. I wish folks would read (and read with some care) before sounding off.

I am sitting here in Western Canada reading Don Noel's " Near A Far Sea " . On page 101, The author quotes Brother Elbert referring to Margaret's mother as as "being a smart lady for a black woman". The author stated he was taken "aback" by the comment from Brother Elbert.

Erick,why are you trying to cover up what Don said in his book. Earl ask you if Don said the things that people are saying in there e-mail and you flat out say no. how could you,it seems you are having fund on other people expence.if Don write these things about your family, that you love dearly you would not find this book so fantastic.I send a e-mail yesterday and you did not put it on your website.this is not the first and there were know personal attacks.I put Don own words in my e-mali,i send this e-mail yesterday 4th of march.I know you are not going to put this on your website but that o.k i will be sending Earl my copy of this book so he have a chance to read it and see exactly why every one is so upset.

Just to let you know "upset" Your message was not posted yesterday as I was on the road from very early in the morning, returning home very late last night. This is the first time I am checking emails since 5:00 a.m. yesterday. Actually, I spent much of the day yesteday in the company of Miss Olive's sister visiting a sick friend in Kingston.

Let us all take a deep breath, gather facts, and think before we make accusations which may end up being unfounded.

Thank you.

what Elbert said. to me was very rasist. but that did not give Don the write to say miss Olive was very smart for a black woman.that means he did not expect black woman to be smat.this is not the only thing he said in his book that bothers me.what he said about the dog and the chicken.make me sick.Earl you dont know Don Noel like i he never stop and say hellow to any one in Billys Bay, the people of Billys Bay dont like this man. they put up with him because he is there for years,the things he say about some of the people is not true.he said miss Olive retired. Earl try and get in touch with miss Olive and ask her why she leave Don Noel job,she did not retired she walk away from his job because of Don salave like belived.Don plesae respond to some of these aligation,we would love to here from you.

Sorry. The section quoted 1s actually on page 106 - Too cold last night. I have met many people of all complexions from the Treasure Beach area and found them to be wonderful people. I thoroughly enjoyed reading "Near A Far Sea". It certainly warmed me up last night. Looking forward to visiting Treasure Beach in the near future.

I am looking forward to reading the book, myself. Then I will be able to form an opinion about all the allegations that are being made.

What I'm prepared to say, now, however, is that there has long been a history of colour bias in Treasure Beach, with many lighter skinned persons thinking themselves better than the darker ones, often without intending to be unkind!

As a product of a 'rainbow coloured' family tree, myself, I can attest to that problem as a londstanding phenomenon in our community.

I believe that, with the community becoming slightly more 'cosmopolitan', things are changing for the better.

Here's hoping the change will come sooner rather than later.

Let my poor uncle Elbert James rest in peace, his life was taken by the sea.Don is quite aware of what he wrote, no one needs to help him clear it up. Miss Olive is smart for a black woman.... what is he saying? Oprah is smart for a black woman....King was smart for a black man. I don't want the book for free. don could have written better things in his book, but garbage sells.

Of course, Brother Elbert is not around any more to defend himself on this matter. Which is always the problem with books in which claims are made about what someone said, when that person has passed on and is therefore in no position to respond!

Elbert James was a dear friend, as I think the book makes clear; his premature death was a tragedy.
And yes, he was probably underpaid by today's standards.
For the record: I write every evening while in Jamaica (compulsively?) a detailed journal, whose pages I consulted often in writing the book. I am confident that in this instance -- as in many others -- that what I wrote was not a recollection of several decades ago, but a recollection recorded the same evening or early next morning.
My intention was not to denigrate Miss Olive nor Brother Elbert -- both of whom were/are saints -- but to record conversations that offered insight into Jamaican culture and attitudes. I'm a reporter by trade and training. As I've said above, in 40 years of journalism I understand that people don't always like what I write. But I try to write honestly.

Don, you wrote a lot of things in your book, that you knows nothing about.The people in Treasure Beach must be suprised that you gave Franklin Parchment son Aamond.to Endley Parchment you should do your home work before writing a book.

The problem is that only parts of the quote were taken into considertation. It was not Mr. Noels own opinion that Miss Olive was 'smart for a black woman'. He was quoting what someone else had said. When we read something, we need to take into consideration things like quotation marks, commas etc so that we do not misread the authors intention. Also keep in mind that what Elbert said was not meant to be said in a mean or cruel way. Perhaps in this day and age it's inappropriate but not that long ago it was acceptable.

Understanding,dont tell me that you are making excused for Elbert rasist comments. if it was a white man used those words you would find it rasist,it was inapppropriate then and know.I am a black woman in my 40's and growing up i was call black in a very negative way and it was not o.k then,so dont give me your bull.

What Don is saying Aamond Parchment is Endley Parchment son. that means Aamond marry his sister, this cant be true, Endley is Aamond's wife father. Mr Don you said what you wrote in your book is not a recollection of several decades a go,but a recollection recorded the same evening or next morning that means some one tell you that Aamond is Endley Parchment son, is that correct.

Hurtful, untrue, and malicious are the best words I can use to describe the passage in the book which says that Endley Parchment is Aman Parchment's father. Since Endley is now dead, no one can prove what he may -- or may not -- have told Don Noel. However, Aman's mother, Cicelyn Ritchie, has lived next door to the Noel's home for more than 30 years; also, she is married to Valney Ritchie, a gentleman who has worked for the Noels for more than 30 years. Don, out of common decency (or perhaps respect to the wife of a longtime employee), could have asked her to verify this "fact." But, he never bothered to do this.

Aman's father is a man named Franklin Parchment. He moved to England when Aman was 11 months old, leaving Cicelyn to raise Aman with no form of support. Franklin Parchment resides in Birmingham, England. If one would see his photograph (as I have), it would be obvious they were father and son. If one would have taken the time to speak to Aman's mother (as I did this morning), she would have verified the fact that Franklin was Aman's father.

What has been published is well less than "neighborly." Worse than that, it is a profound insult and embarrassment to so many decent people here in Treasure Beach. Cicelyn Ritchie has cried herself to sleep for the past several nights. The rest of the family is deeply upset. Laura and Aman Parchment are hard-working people; they have three wonderful children who do not deserve to have this lie whispered behind their backs (as we know will happen). The painful impact of that untrue passage will cause horrible discomfort to the gentle people of Treasure Beach for years to come.

I cannot speculate why Don, especially being a journalist for 40 years, did not check the facts with respect to this situation. The least Don can do at this point is to offer a very public apology to all concerned.

It is apparent that I have done old friends a great hurt, and I am unimaginably apologetic.
As I've said above, I wrote this book from journals written day by day, recording what people said to me and to each other as best I could from fresh recollections. It is obvious to me now that I misunderstood Endley Parchment.
It did not occur to me how the words I mis-wrote would harm Aman Parchment and his family, and our dear Miss Cislyn. As I told Mr. Aman in a phone conversation this morning, my purpose was to demonstrate how people like himself could rise from less-than-ideal beginnings; the implications for family relationships just didn't cross my mind, or I would indeed have done some fact-checking.
I not only retract that offending passage; I will strike it from copies of the book.
(Because this is a "print-on-demand" book, there is no backlog of unsold copies; changes made Monday morning will appear in the next copy printed.) I know that doesn't undo the damage I have Aman Parchment and his family and his mother, all of whom I admire and respect.
I cannot quarrel with anything Karen Kennedy has written except the word "malicious."
There was no malice aforethought in anything I wrote; there was and is no malice in my heart.
I saw it – and still do --as a book that loves and praises Treasure Beach and its people, and that may in some American hands offset the negative newspaper headlines that are all some people know of a country I love dearly.
Again -- flatly, unreservedly -- I apologize. I am sorry. I hope I may earn forgiveness.

I vowed that I would never respond to this website based on misinformation in the past...however I MUST note to everyone and anyone that I am insulted, hurt, and will not accept an apology of the misinformation printed about the Parchment family. It is a very, very, very ,small, safe, truthful and vibrant community that deserves only the best. "WORDS", (otherwise we wouldn't write them), are very profitable and egocentric. The nerve of you to think that a casual apology on a filtered website will remedy this lie. And to have ANYONE, most important, the Parchments, slandered for your profit is a shame. After many years of you profiting off the hard work of this community, I am at a loss of words for how you reported, or "wrote in your journal", the misinformation. Is the rest of the book true?

I have refrained from making any comments at all on this web site since its inception. I have participated in the Treasure Beach Community for decades,and now I have been provoked into making a statement by this Noel person. You have captured the worst of humanity in your shameful "words". You should be ashamed of yourself and by your position your family and all human beings for your reckless,malevolent,poorly researched, morally and ethically unfounded "words". Your response to Ms. Kennedy is a malignant attempt to protect yourself and your investment of property and financial well-being. If you ever understood the core of the Billy Bay community you would have never written these untruths. You have maligned the Parchment families and all that know them with your arrogance and lack of intelligence to profit yourself. Please make sure you follow up in the USA, that you made an error. Indeed this book is fiction. To this, I write to convey the pain in my heart and soul as a family man, a father, a husband, physician and a man...that respects and honors the reality of this community. With love to all the Parchments of Billy Bay as your spirit and Godliness will endure. As always all my soulful LOVE, Ronald Kaitz,M.D.

The word "malicious" is very powerful. As an author you should know what it means. Malice is always never intended.... (after the fact) just like greed, avarice and rumors. Speak the truth and speak it clear. Please post on Amazon that your book has caused pain. Maybe, you'll sell more just like you intended. By the way, nobody cares who you are or where you are from, or who your father is. Protect the children...

For clarity's sake:
malicious: characterized by malice; intending or intended to do harm

thank you tbnet. i have found this thread bordering on the absurd, and it seems that to me that the nit-pickers need to get a life.
nuff said

Sorry to say but I'm finding this all quite amusing and will have to agree with Nige. Granted I have only read a few blurbs in the book and noticed there were in fact a few facts that weren't facts at all, but hey let's not get carried away, and I hope to God that I haven't offended anyone by what I've just written as I will obviously never hear the end of it. Cheers, chin up and pick up another book. wink wink.

lol sarah. i to have been finding it amusing, but a few others seem to have taken up the vilification of Dons book as some type of crusade. also as you say, god help me if i ever manage to put together my memories, was thinking of calling it " the black sheep chronicles" lol.
walk good one and all

I'm a product of TB. Yes, the rainbow Anglo/Afro/Indo inbred population of the area. I am probably related to 75% of the populous. In fact, I am sure about Earl, so that makes 1 out of about 16 bloggers on this internacional message board plus possibly most of the characters from the book. (Maybe I too should be careful of word choice, after all my "WORDS" may make me a target). I am proud of my ancestors (tyrants and serfs), ultimately they form my background and history. Also, thank God [and democracy] for free speech in the free “new world”!

I've yet to have the luxury of reading Near A Far Sea, but all this squabble over minor details of a FICTIONAL book is excessive, don't you think? Also, did anyone else notice the irony in the comments made by "a smart black woman", above? We should at least make intelligent critiques based on an understanding of content and grammar, no?

Lets not blow this up though, it's just a cute-easy-read not deemed to be taken too seriously by historians. It is simply one person’s perspective of a quaint foreign village. Globalization is rapidly approaching the small villages of Jamaica and every other 3rd world nation. It is an unstoppable force, and the best way to survive is to understand with an open mind while remaining true to honorable principles. Insofar as I have gathered, there has been no slander (maybe misinformation) and no denigration (maybe self-promotion) therefore no dishonor may exist in Noel’s book.

For the record, I am not supporting Don Noel. <Edited for language use> I'd just like more constructive feedback on the book to see if I should buy it or not. Let’s not give this The Passion of Christ treatment people- it's just a fictional memoir. It should be your responsibility as informed adults to discern publications from Reuters or Danielle Steele- fact or fiction.

Kudos to Don Noel though. Those of us who may understand the finer economics may see this as a good thing, for the globalization of today is the colonialism of yesterday minus the atrocities. I'm confident the novel is in good faith- after all I paid $10 for my Passion of Christ ticket despite strong opposition from my Jewish faction to have an informed opinion ;)

First, this thread is great. The diversity of opinion shows how wonderful the Internet is. I'm glad everyone is getting a chance to voice their opinion, minus personal attacks and name calling, of course.

And to the point, I did read Don's book and found nothing in it that I'd deem to be malicious or racist. In fact, Don shows nothing but admiration and respect for the Jamaican people in general and the folks in Treasure Beach specifically. It's decidedly one person's perspective. He doesn't try to pretend it's anything else. And he did make a mistake, which he admirably admitted to and corrected. Everyone makes mistakes. Only good folks will own up to them.

As to whether you should buy it, by all means do. It's a good read and gave me a lot of insight into the community that only a week a year of vacationing never could provide. And after you've read it, post a note here with your thoughts.

Can't wait for my next trip to Jamaica and another chance to rub shoulders with the wonderful people of Treasure Beach ...

I am sorry but Don did nothing wrong. For God sake the guy wrote what he had heard , not what what he the author thought. So if any body is to be accused it should be the person/s from which he obtained his information, which is lucid in what Don writes. PEOPLE WHEN READING, TRY TO UNDERSTAND THE WRITER'S STAND.HE WAS NOT BEING BIASED. HE WAS ONLY WRITING WHAT HE HEARD ( In other words he was a CHATTER BOX.) "PLEASE"

This is the worst example of slander that one can imagine and my heart goes out to the Parchment family for what they've had to endure arising fom a false allegation about the paternity of one of their offspring.I think what the Parchment family needs is a good lawyer.Don did what he did because he was writing about people for whom he had no respect. This is a poor rural community who are supposed to feel flattered by this unreliable book. Would this be tolerated in his native America?I know full well how this website works, it's about massaging personal egos and not posting anything that goes to the heart of the matter or touches a nerve so I'll say no more.

Well, I've finally read the book, and, as promised, here are SOME of my thoughts.

There’s no doubt about the author’s love for the physical place. It comes out clearly in his descriptions throughout the book.
I remain convinced, after reading “Near a Far Sea”, that he also cares about the fate and fortune of the fishermen, as demonstrated by the efforts he made over the years on their behalf.

But, the book also reflects some major NEGATIVES (One incensed person named in the book likens the author to the proverbial cow, which gives a bucket of milk and then kicks it over):
The author comes across as being somewhat condescending and definitely insensitive in his ‘caricature’ (my perception) of life in the community and some of the people.
His description of and commentary re Vincent Smalling (aka Barnett), for example, appear unnecessarily unkind (I mean those references to his physical appearance, including his “gimpy eye”, and his presumed need to have a bath) and it ought to have occurred to him that such remarks would have been hurtful to the man’s family – the same people for whom he professed so much care!
As for that reference to the paternity of one of the most popular members of the community – now that’s just asking for trouble! (I know Mr. Noel has since apologized for that one, and I will leave it at that).
Some community members are also upset that what they thought were confidential matters shared with the author, such as advice given to him regarding other persons, are now in black and white.
Talking of caricature – This “yeah mon!” expression ascribed to Jamaicans is largely a foreign invention (which some of our misguided tourism promoters have gladly exploited as a marketing aid). I have not met many Jamaicans who say ‘mon’. With few exceptions, we say ‘man’ just like most other people in the world!
And, in Treasure Beach, the common title for older gentlemen is not ‘Mister’ as the author uses so often I the book (That might have been his own choice of expression, in his interactions with them, I suppose); it is ‘Maas’, as in “Maas Carl… Maas Arthur… Maas Headley”.
By the way, “Mister Hedley”, contrary to the author’s assertion, was not, in the period mentioned, a deacon in the Assembly of God church. He was, by then, Pastor Headley Gayle, of the Treasure Beach Pentecostal Church of God, which he founded along with other pioneers such as Radford Taylor, who sadly, died recently.
As for how ‘Jakes’ got started, Jason Henzel has asked me to say that it definitely was not from money made from the film, “The Harder They Come”, (page 212). Any further comment on that matter I will leave to the Henzels themselves.

Now, to clear up some historical misconceptions/ inaccuracies in the book:
1. For the first ten years of Jamaica’s political independence there was not much by way of diplomatic relations with Cuba (see page 56, first paragraph). It was only in 1972 when the PNP came to power that Manley established diplomatic relations with that country.
2. In 1977 the government news and information agency was not known as JIS (Jamaica Information Service). The name had been changed by Manley, early in his first term, from JIS to API (Agency for Public Information). When the JLP returned to office in 1980 the name, JIS, was restored, and thus it has remained ever since.
3. Gordon House (page 164) is not “the prime minister’s official headquarters”. That distinction goes to Jamaica House, located at Hope Road in St. Andrew. Gordon House is the building that houses the national parliament on Duke Street in Kingston.
4. Parliamentary elections were not held in 1978 (page 53). The elections were held in 1976, four years after the February 1972 polls. (Remember that the constitution allows a maximum of five years for a parliamentary term.)

I'VE BEEN TRYING EVER YEAR TO SAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO GO DOWN TO DON NOELS VILLA FOR OVER TEN YEARS . I HAD KIDS WHEN I FIRST FOUND THE VILLA THE BACK ADS OF ISLANDS MAGIZINE. BUT I COULD NEVER SAVE ENOUGH FOR THE TICKETS. THIS YEAR I BOUGHT A COMPITER FOR THE FIRST TIME AND ONCE I SIGNED ONLINE FIRST THING I DID WAS READ THE FIRST CHAPTER OF THE BOOK,YOU KNOW I BEEN STARING AT THE PICTURE OF THE VILLA FOM THE TOP AND I COULD PUT MYSELF RIGHT IN THE BOOK AS IF I WAS THERE. I CANT WAIT TO FINISH THE BOOK ONCE IT COMES IN THE MAIL. I ALSO REALIZED THAT DON NOEL IS SELLING THE VIILA I WISH I COULD BE THERE BEFORE THAT HAPPENS MY KIDS ARE GOING TO HAVE A BLAST NOW THAT THEIR OLDER THEY WILL REMEMBER THIS EXPERINCE FOR ALONG TO COME OR SHOULD I SAY "SOON COME" . VILLA HIKARU WILL LIVE ON--- SEE YOU